Surfosaurus MAX (2023) Board Game

Surfosaurus MAX is a card game designed by Ikhwan Kwon and published by Loosey Goosey Games in in 2023. The game is set in a prehistoric world where players take on the role of dinosaur surfers riding the waves to collect sets of cards.

Game Components of Surfosaurus MAX

Cards: A deck of 84 cards, each belonging to one of seven suits with values from 01 to 12.

Player Aids: Each player receives a player aid to remind them of the setup rules, number of rounds, and hand rankings.

Coconut Cards: Each player gets a full coconut card and a half coconut card for scoring.

Surfboard Card: Each player has a surfboard card.

Dinosaur Meeple: Each player receives a dinosaur meeple to place on their surfboard card.

How To Setup Surfosaurus MAX

To set up Surfosaurus MAX, start by shuffling the deck and secretly discarding some cards based on the player count. Each player is dealt a hand of 7 cards, and the remainder forms the draw pile. Each player also receives a surfboard card, a full coconut card, a half coconut card, and a player aid. Determine the starting player, who places their dinosaur meeple on their surfboard card.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Semi-Cooperative Game: Players work together to create the best card combinations but compete to score the most points.

Set Collection: Players collect cards to form the highest-ranking combinations.

Card Play: Each player plays one card from their hand and immediately draws a new one.

Combination Ranking: Combinations are ranked as follows: straight flush, 4 or 5 of a kind, flush, straight, high card.

Scoring: Cards in the winning combination are scored by the player who played them. Tied cards are placed under the half coconut card for half points.

Player Experience

Surfosaurus MAX offers a dynamic and challenging experience, requiring players to balance cooperation and competition. Players must strategically play their cards to influence the winning combination while hoping other players will complement their moves. The game’s short playing time and simple setup make it an excellent filler game. The artwork, featuring surfing dinosaurs, is a notable highlight, and the player aids ensure everyone is aware of the game’s rules and objectives.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: The semi-cooperative mechanism creates an exciting push-and-pull between cooperation and competition.

Quick and Simple: Easy to set up and play, making it a great filler game.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for families and casual game nights.

Attractive Artwork: The graphics of the surfing dinosaurs are superb and visually appealing.

Cons

Limited Strategy in Two-Player Games: The game loses some of its charm and complexity with only two players.

Luck Factor: The availability of the right cards at the right time can be luck-dependent.

Personal Thoughts on Surfosaurus MAX

Surfosaurus MAX is ideal for families, casual gamers, and those looking for a quick, fun game to play in various settings, such as pubs or holiday gatherings. While it works with two players, it truly shines with a larger player count, where the semi-cooperative mechanics and strategic card play come into full effect. If you enjoy games that require strategic thinking and a bit of luck, Surfosaurus MAX is definitely worth adding to your collection.

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